No concerns over Fernando Torres, says Chelsea’s Roberto Di Matteo

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo insists he has no concerns over Fernando Torres' form or state of mind this season

Fernando Torres has scored four Premier League goals for Chelsea this term Photo: The Sport Review

Roberto Di Matteo insists he has “no concerns” over Chelsea striker Fernando Torres’ form or state of mind.

The forward hit the headlines again last week after he admitted he went through a spell in which he did not care whether Chelsea won or lost last season in an interview with a Spanish newspaper.

Torres has scored four top-flight goals for the Blues so far this season and Di Matteo has defended his striker’s form, insisting the Spaniard is always contributing to the team whether he is finding the net regularly or not.

“I have no concerns about Fernando,” said Di Matteo. “He always works hard for the team. Whether he scores or not, he’s always contributing.

“He either makes passes or he’s very useful for the combinations. We can’t just rely on one player. We want to share the responsibility.

“He’s been training well and I think sometimes he gets more chances, sometimes less. He’s been scoring goals, he’s been making goals. We can’t expect him to score in every game. Maybe [Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek] wasn’t his best game but I don’t think it was a question of being happy or unhappy. I think he’s in a good state of mind.

“We’re talking too much about the past. He had a difficult season. He’s made that point [in the Spanish interview] and I think, rather than moaning about the past, it’s time to move forward and think about the present and the future.

“I think he’s always cared but he’s just had a difficult season. This season is completely different. He’s started very well. I think he’s showed all the signs this season.

“He scored in the Community Shield. He’s scored four in the league. He’s scored one in the cup but he’s making goals as well. Considering the games we’ve played, [his goal ratio] is one in two.”